If a fire occurred in your flat or block would you know what to do?

Living in a high-rise block doesn’t mean you are any more at risk from fire, but it does mean you need to consider your fire safety and the impact you could have on other residents.

It is important for your own safety to understand what to do in the event of a fire, whether it’s in your flat or somewhere else in the building.

Built with your safety in mind

Your building has been designed and built with fire safety in mind.

Lift access

Never use the lift when evacuating the building. The fire may cause a power failure trapping you inside.

Emergency access

Never block emergency access to your building, we need to get as close as possible to the entrance.

Firefighter equipment 

Dry or wet riser pipes run internally through the block and are usually painted red. The Fire pipes provide water to extinguish or prevent a fire from spreading.

Do you know your building’s evacuation plan?

Full Evacuation

When the alarm sounds get everyone in your flat out of the building using emergency fire exit routes and stairs provided.

Stay Put

Unless the fire is in your flat or a direct neighbour’s, keep your front door and windows closed and await further instructions from the emergency services.

The fire service will knock your door if they need you to do anything.

What to do if there is a fire

In you or your neighbour’s flat

• get out, stay out and call 999 – never assume someone else has called
• leave your flat and close the door
• use the stairs – never the lift

Elsewhere in the block if the fire service are outside

• close your doors and windows
• stay in and tune in to your local TV or radio station
• stay put unless advised by the fire service

If the fire service needs to fully evacuate the building they will knock door to door.

Mass uncontrolled evacuation, will obstruct the fire service and delay them putting the fire out.

We’ll be there

If you can see the Fire Service on the ground, then there is no need to call.

If every resident in a high-rise block rang 999, our control room wouldn’t be able to respond to other emergencies.

Don’t be alarmed

Don’t be alarmed by the scale of the Fire Service’s presence.

We need a large amount of resources to get our equipment from the ground up to the floor of the fire and to protect our firefighters.

Protect your home

• fit at least one smoke alarm in your flat
• test once a week
• never take the batteries out

You can also view our top 10 tips for preventing fires here

Be prepared

• keep all exits clear both communal corridors and in your home
• keep door and window keys near the exit
• know how to isolate your gas, electric and water supply
• get to know your neighbours. Are they young, elderly or vulnerable? They may need assistance in an emergency